AN: Hello, I have the next chapter here. A little longer than a few months, but I am back for the prelude to the tournament arc of this series. As I said before, this chapter is the gang returning to the island, meeting more participants, and setting the stage. With that, there is no duel in this chapter. However, I have a lot of characters to show off and tease to get people excited for the duels to come. Some you may have expected, some you didn't expect, and some I didn't even think I would put in this series. Also, I will have the datasheet chapter updated and moved to the end here soon. As well as the other cover arts for this series I have gotten made. Hope you enjoy this chapter, leave a review with your comments and questions, and have a nice day.
See Datasheet Chapter for cover art details.
Chapter 50 – The Genex Tournament
At the port to Duel Academy, a large ship docked with students and pro-league duelists exiting, "Man, it feels like we were on that thing for months." Yang said as she stretched out her arms, "Definitely a lot slower than a plane."
"We made it back to Duel Academy in one piece," Blake responded, looking up at the establishment in the distance.
"Yes, but we were delayed," Weiss added, "I think some of the other participants already got to the island."
"So cool," Ruby said in excitement, "Wait, we don't have to register for this thing, do we?"
"I have already taken care of that," Glynda spoke before addressing the group, "All of you who are duelists have been entered into this tournament, there will be a formal announcement in the indoor arena before the event starts tomorrow." The headteacher for Ra Yellow said before adjusting her glasses, "You are free to do as you wish now, but do not be late to the announcement event."
"Right, thank you," Ruby said as she waved goodbye to Glynda and took her leave. She then noticed the electric and dino Ra Yellows walking up from the other end of the docks, "Nora, Tyranno!" the hooded Slifer Red said in joy.
"Welcome back," Tyranno said as Nora waved. He then looked over to Yang, "Sup Sarge," he said before reeling back his right arm.
"Hey Dreads," Yang said as she locked arms with the dino Ra Yellow in a handshake, "Your stomach all better now?"
"Yep, I'm all good," Tyranno responded, "As they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." He then looked to the fashionista pro duelist walking up, "Who are your new friends?"
"This is Coco, she's from the pro leagues." Yang introduced.
"…" Coco said nothing before lowering her glasses, "Why does it look like you ripped off the sleeves of your uniform?"
"…Eh?" Tyranno responded, "Because I like this style."
"Then why do your clothes look filthy?" Coco added, "It looks like you were digging in the mud for something."
"Hey, I'm not afraid to get a little dirty," Tyranno responded, his eyes going lizard-like. "My old man always said dirty clothes mean you're working hard."
"It means you're unhygienic," Coco said as she pushed up her sunglasses, causing the dino Ra Yellow to flare its fangs for a second.
Suddenly, Yang got between the two, "Hey, let's calm down." She said with a smile forming, "And save this for when the tournament really starts."
"Tsk, fine," Tyranno said as his eyes went back to normal, but then pointed at Coco, "But I'm coming after you first."
"Then I guess you'll be the first to lose in this tournament," Coco responded with a smirk, then walked away with Velvet and Bastion following.
Tyranno glared before being patted on the back by the fiery Ra Yellow, "So, what's been going on since I was away?"
"Not much, been boring around these parts." Tyranno responded, "Except today with all the new challenges coming in." he said before smirking, "They even brought the best of the best of the other four academies."
"Other four academies?" Ruby asked.
"There are four subsidiaries to Duel Academy; North Academy, South Academy, East Academy, and West Academy." Weiss informed, "While smaller than ours, each of them is home to skilled duelists."
"Hey, we're you at one of those four for a while?" Jaden asked the affluent Obelisk Blue, "You know, back when you-"
"Zip it, slacker." Chazz interrupted, "I am here now to stay and that's all that matters."
"I don't think they follow the same three-grade system of Duel Academy," Alexis spoke up, "But I heard each of those schools refers to the best duelist as an ace student."
"Neat," Yang responded, "Let's see if we can spot any of them around the area."
"I'm on it!" Ruby said before running off, leaving a flurry of rose petals behind.
"… She's going to get lost in the woods, isn't she?" Weiss said with Yang solemnly nodding, then sighed, "I'll track her down and make sure we are not late to the event announcement." She said before walking after her.
The others started to walk away as well, but Pyrrha looked back to Nora still looking at the ship, "Hey, is everything okay?" the magnetic pro duelist asked.
"Y-yeah," Nora responded, looking at the passengers of the ship, "It's just…I was expecting someone." She said before following the others while Pyrrha had a look of worry on her face.
In the forest, Weiss called out for her friend's name, "Ruby! Ruby!" she said while scanning the area, "Ruby, where are you?"
Suddenly, another voice was saying the same thing as her, "Ruby, come on out." The voice said with Weiss having a look of confusion, not recognizing who it was. Suddenly, the heiress Obelisk Blue looked to her right, seeing a small duel spirit. It was a blue cat-like creature with four ears and red eyes that matched the spherical gem on its tail. Weiss then heard a rustling in the bushes, then saw someone emerging. It was a variation of the Obelisk blue uniform, with a blue open vest, white frilled shirt, and dark navy-blue pants. His hair was a deep teal color, but his eyes were light emerald green, "There you are." He said before looking to Weiss with a smile, "Sorry bout that, Ruby likes to run off on her own." He spoke with a slight accent, but his words had an aura of serenity to them.
"Oh, I see," Weiss commented before she had a realization, "Wait, you can see duel spirits?"
"Yeah," he spoke, then realized it himself, "Wait, you can see them too?" he said with Weiss breaking eye contact, but then looked down at the duel spirit nuzzling against her leg, "I guess she's taken a liken to someone here." He said with Weiss looking back at him, "What do I call ya, other Snow Angel."
"Eh," the heiress Obelisk Blue said with her face going red for a second, "Y-you can call me Weiss." She said with a smile forming, "But, I do like your nickname as well." She said with him smiling back.
Meanwhile.
Zwei and Pharaoh were running for their lives, being pursued by a monstrous creature. They each had a look of panic before making it to a tree. However, the corgi could not climb the bark, and the fat cat was unable to get his clipped claws into the tree. They looked back in horror as a gaping maw was about to chomp on them.
However, before the bite, the two were carried away. Zwei looked up in glee as it was her owner, who looked down with a smile, "Hey, that was close." Ruby said while holding the pets, who both started looking on with overjoyed eyes, "It's okay, you're safe now." She said before scowling at the monstrous creature.
In getting a better look, it appeared to be a crocodile that was trying to eat the cat and dog. Now, the reptiles' eyes were on the hooded Slifer Red. It then leaped towards Ruby with its mouth open. However, its body was shot by multiple cards before falling on its side. Ruby had a look of confusion before seeing two individuals approaching.
A short while later.
The group made their way into the Obelisk Blue Arena, seeing numerous duelists intermingling, "There must be over a hundred people for the tournament." Blake commented.
"Even with such short notice, this turnout is rather large." Bastion commented, "And the number of skilled duelists in one area is outstanding."
"You scared?" Yang asked with a smirk.
"Hardly, I simply will require more observations to create my winning formula." Bastion responded with a matching smile.
"Good idea, let's split up and survey the competition," Yang responded before the group divided into the crowd. She searched for any familiar faces before seeing the heiress Obelisk Blue with a glass of fruit punch, "Hey, there you are. Did you find Ruby?"
"Huh? Oh, uh, no." Weiss responded, then smiled, "But I did find someone really cool." She said before pointing off to a man she met in the woods near a bowl of juice, "His name is Jesse, he's the Ace Student of North Academy."
"Really, you found one of them that fast." Yang said, before noticing Weiss's smile towards the precious ace student, "And from the looks of it, you look to have found thing else." Yang said with a smirk.
"S-shut up!" Weiss said with her face red, "He's just a really nice guy, we got to talk and realize we have a lot in common." She said before scowling at Yang, "And he doesn't call me an ice queen!" the heiress Obelisk Blue said before seeing Ruby running up, "There you are, late to the party despite your speed."
"Sorry, I got lost then heard Zwei's cry's before running over." Ruby spoke with a smile, "Turns out, he and Pharaoh were chased by a crocodile."
"…What?" Weiss responded.
"Huh, I had crocodiles on my bingo card for weird stuff on this island." Yang commented with her arms crossed, "Now if I find a secret lab, Chazz owes me lunch for a month."
"Well, it's not native to this island." Ruby responded, "It's a pet of one of the duelists."
"Are you serious?" Yang responded.
"Yeah, and he's right over there," Ruby said as she pointed, causing the others to look over. There was a young man in a cowboy-like attire with an orange bandana around his neck and a brown wide-rim hat. His hair was black, but the right side of his face was bandaged over his eye. Strapped to his back was a large crocodile, "He said his name is Jim, he's the Ace Student of South Academy." Ruby said, "And the Crocodile's name is Shirley."
"How is that allowed on this island!?" Weiss asked.
"Well, she's really sweet… when she isn't hungry." Ruby responded, "I gave Zwei and Pharaoh back to Miss Dorothy to take care of." She said before having a realization, "Oh, she also had a gift for all of us." The hooded Slifer Red said as she pulled out some small cases of cards, each with a name on them. "The school had an event to give everyone in the tournament some cards to upgrade their decks. We would have missed it while we were away, but she kept some aside for us."
"Sweet!" Yang said she took the one with her name on it, "I'll make sure to thank her later."
"That's so nice of her," Weiss said she took the one with her name on it.
"Yeah, and we might need it." Ruby said before looking at Yang, "I meet the ace student of West Academy too. His name is Axel, and he also has pyro monsters."
"Oh, is that so," Yang said with a smirk, "Which one is he?" She asked with Ruby pointing over to a young man with fair skin and a brown vest that matched his hair color, "Eh, I can take him." She said before noticing the duel disk in a holster, "What model is that?"
"Isn't it so cool!" Ruby said in glee, "It's a retractable design with loading mechanize for his deck and can change form into a firearm." She said with the two girls looking at her in confusion, causing the red hooded girl to simplify her explanation, "It's also a gun."
"That shoots cards?" Weiss asks, "Why?"
"Because it's cool," Yang said, causing Weiss to sigh, "So, we know three of four of them. Wonder who the last one is?"
"Wait, who's the third one?" Ruby asked.
"Weiss's new boyfriend," Yang responded.
"Yang!" Weiss shouted with the fiery Ra Yellow smirking, "He is not, we just meet, and he is-" she said while pointing at Jesse, but gasped as he was talking with Jaden. The two boys were laughing loud while chatting, "What?"
"Looks like you missed your opportunity," Yang commented.
"Shut up!" Weiss said before stomping off.
"…She'll be fine." Yang said with a smile, then looked to her little sister, "Why don't you go and run those cards to the others."
"Right," Ruby said before speeding through the crowd, finding Alexis, Blake, and Sora. However, both girls were scowling in opposite directions, "Uh, did something happen? Are you two mad at each other?" Ruby asked.
"No," Sora answered in a defeated voice. Ruby then followed the gaze of her friends.
Alexis was staring at her brother, who was chatting with two girls. They appeared to be twins, both with black hair and light green eyes. However, one's hair was long with a white dress. The other's hair was short, and she wore a red dress.
"Those are the Malachite Twins, the rank two in the tag team pro league category." Sora commented before pointing with his lollipop, "Her name is Miltia." He said pointing to the girl in the red dress, "And her name is Melanie." He said while pointing to the girl in the white dress, "They're pretty good, said to have been students under Mai Valentine."
"Really!? Wow," Ruby commented in shock, "But why is Alexis angry at them?"
"I'm not angry at them," Alexis responded, but did not break her gaze, "I'm angry at Atticus, who would rather flirt with those girls than welcome us back." she said before her brother walked over, "So, what did they say?"
"They just said 'whatever' and walked off," Atticus responded, "I think I'm losing my touch with the ladies."
"You never had it to begin with," Alexis commented with her arms crossed, causing him to have an uneasy giggle.
Ruby also had a giggle in her voice, then looked over to Blake's gaze. She was staring at Zane, who was also talking with pair of twins. Their outfits were similar in some colors and patterns. However, one had a large light lilac skirt with an exposed front to show off her white pants and boots. She had white hair in a unique style. The other girl had blue shorts over her white pants, but longer boots that went up to her knees. Her hair was a blonder color, the style almost looking like downward-pointing horns, "More twins?" Ruby asked.
"Those are the Tyler Sisters, the rank one in the tag team pro league category." Sora responded, then pointed, "The blond is Gloria, and one with white hair is Grace."
Blake watched while she overheard the conversation, "Come on Zane, let's ditch this lamer of a party and have some real fun." Gloria spoke with a smile on her face, "Don't you want to see what it's like for the top ranks in the pro league to go at it."
"You mean in a duel?" Zane asked.
"That would totes be amazing," Grace said as she ran her right index finger across Zane's chest, "Can you picture it, all of us in the heat of the moment, dueling at our best." She said with smirking forming on her face, "We can do two against one, or many you would prefer a three-way."
"…" Blake watched on with a focused and furious gaze, her teeth girt, but a cat-like hissing sound was heard.
"Uh," Ruby said as she reached for the cased of cards for Alexis and Blake, handing them to Sora, "Here, please give these to them when they are less angry."
"Will do," Sora said with a nod as he took them off the hooded Slifer Red's hand.
Ruby then went through the crowd again, then found Chazz and Bastion talking with two people. One was the dark pro duelist, standing with his hands in his pockets. "Sorry I didn't get to meet you back in New Domino City." Mercery said before looking at the person next to him, "She was being a big pain about getting items for a meeting."
Next to him was a young woman with green hair in a bob cut. Her others were revealing over her darker skin., "And he was being lazy about doing his fair share of the job. But where are my manners, I haven't even given my name yet." She said with her red eyes half opened, accompanied by a slight smile, "You can call me Emerald." She said while offering her right hand.
"Nice to meet you," Bastion said as he shook her hand, followed by Chazz. "You are also in the pro leagues, correct?"
"Yes, but I am much lower in the ranks than Mercury is." Emerald responded, "And I do apologize, but we must be going." She said before walking away with Mercury following. However, she bumped into Ruby before bowing, "Sorry about that."
"Oh, no worries," Ruby responded with Emerald giving a slight smile, then they each went their separate ways. Ruby then walked up, to Bastion and Chazz, "They seem nice."
"To you, that guy rubs me the wrong. He's a slacker but doesn't seem lazy." Chazz responded, a slight glare towards Mercury, "More that he doesn't care about anything but himself."
"Oh," Ruby said before recalling why she was looking for them, "Right, I have some new cards to give…Eh?" she said while searching her pockets, then found nothing, "Where is it?"
"Where's what?" Bastion asked.
"I just had your cases in my pocket, but they're gone." Ruby said as she searched, but could not find anything, "I'm sorry, I must have dropped them."
"It's okay, I would not need them for my formula." Bastion said with a smile.
"Yeah, and The Chazz already has the best cards in his deck," Chazz said with the Ojama bothers about to emerge but were pushed back in by his glare.
"Oh, okay," Ruby said, seeing that she had two more cases of cards to give. She ran over to Blair and Pyrrha, who watched as Jaden was still talking with Jesse, "Wow, these two really hit it off." The hooded Slifer Red commented.
"This can't be, another rival?" Blair said with her hands on her face to cover how red it was, "It's just like in Blake's black book."
"Come on, it's not like that with them." Ruby responded, "There's not even a katana around here." She said with Blair's face going even redder. Ruby had an uneasy giggle.
Nearby, the electric Ra Yellow stood alone with a glass of fruit punch, "…" Nora sighed as she looked at her beverage in sorrow, but then felt a tap on her should. She turned in shock to discover it was Pyrrha.
"Hey, you're Nora, right?" Pyrrha asked, "I remember seeing you in those photos Bastion sent me after my duels."
"Yeah," Nora responded, "It's good to meet you." She said with a forced smile for a second, then sighed, "Sorry, I'm usually not this low energy." Nora said while looking at her reflection in the beverage, "It's just, I was expecting someone to come over to see me before the tournament."
"Is this someone really important to you?" Pyrrha asked with Nora nodding, "I see, I know the feeling." She responded with a smile forming, "When I was at this school, I meet a boy who was a real klutz when it came to dueling." She said with Nora turning to her, "Still, he was really sweet and meant well with pushing to go past Slifer Red as fast as I could." Pyrrha said as she looked at her jacket with a smile, but that smile soon fades, "However, they investigated his history and found that he cheated his way into the Academy. With a zero-tolerance policy at the time, he was kicked out."
"Oh," Nora responded, "Does this story have a happy ending?"
"I'm not sure, I haven't met him since then," Pyrrha answered, "But I know he's out there, and I know he would not be happy to find me sulking." She said with her smile returning, "Even if paths break away, they're bound to cross again. And you should be happy for when the time comes."
"I see," Nora said, her smile returning, "Thanks Pyrrha, you really are cool." She said before noticing a waiter wheeling out a dessert tray, "Oh, I got to go." She said before going straight for the sweets.
Pyrrha looked on with a soft smile before hearing a voice nearby, "And I thought you didn't believe in destiny?" she turned to the voice, then discovered a bouquet of roses, "But it seems our paths have crossed again." The flowers lowered to reveal it was Aster.
"I still don't," Pyrrha responded, then accepted the bouquet, "But thank you for the flowers." She said with a smile, "Still, where have you been?"
"I was gathering the final touches to the deck, getting rid of those Elemental Heroes." Alter said as he looked at his cards, "Now, I use the only kind of hero that's real in this world." He said with his gaze slightly focused, causing Pyrrha to have a look of worry, "In any case, I'm glad you are here as well." he said before walking away, "If we cross paths in the tournament, we will see what truly controls destiny."
Pyrrha watched him leave before seeing the hooded Slifer Red walk up to her, "Hey, did you know that guy?" Ruby asked.
"Yeah, why?" Pyrrha asked.
"He asked me where you were after I gave my name," Ruby responded, "After I pointed over to you, he said 'Thanks Suby' then walked away with a bunch of roses from a table."
"Oh, I see," Pyrrha said with a chuckle.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed in the area. At the moment of confusion, a spotlight shined on Chancellor Sheppard, "Good afternoon duelist of all kinds." He said with open arms, "Today is the prelude to the first Genex Tournament. Here, it does not matter your grade level, nor even if you are a student or a pro league member. All are equal, but you will be able to prove yourself above the rest by showing off your skills." The Headmaster of Duel Academy said with his arms moving behind his back, "The rules are simple. If you lose a duel, you are out of the tournament. If the duel is a draw, both duelists are done for. The last duelist standing is the winner." He said with a smile forming, "And the grand prize, that's a secret." Chancellor Sheppard then bowed, "There are twelve hours until the event beings and the island will be open to explore. All classes will be placed on hold, so make sure to duel to the fullest of your abilities." He said with applauds at the announcements.
A short while later.
The sun had set as Ruby walked towards the Slifer Red Dorm with a sigh, "I finally had a moment to give Jaden and Blair their cards." She said before looking at her case with her deck in hand, "Now, we're all off to plan for the tournament." The hooded Slifer Red said before her grip tightened, "Still, with everything that has happened here, is this really a-"
"Good idea?" a voice spoke near Ruby. She turned to discover it was Yuri, "I think it's a great idea. A true test of survival of the fittest."
"What are you planning?" Ruby asked with a scowl.
"Planning? I would not tell you my strategy for winning this tournament." Yuri while turning his back to Ruby, "But I can tell you a funny story?" he said while looking back at her with a smirk, "It's like a fairytale, but I doubt you have heard of it before."
"..." Ruby responded with a scowl.
"I'll take that as a yes," Yuri said before closing his eyes, "There once was a hunter and his dog. On their route through the wood, they came across a traveling merchant whose wagon had broken." He then looked up with open eyes towards the night sky, "The merchant beseeched the hunter to watch the wagon of supplies while he goes to the nearby town for tools. The hunter agrees and waits." He continued as Ruby remained steadfast in her gaze, "Time passes, and the hunter worries for his elderly mother at the cabin. So, he asks his dog to stay and watch the wagon until he can return." Slowly, a smile forms on Yuri's face, "The dog follows the hunter's order and waits. Soon, the merchant returns and is impressed at the dog's ability to stay guard. 'Thank you for keeping my wagon safe!' the merchant said while reaching into his pocket, 'Here, give this to your master as my thanks.' And he places a shiny silver coin in the dog's mouth." Yuri speaks as Ruby's fists tightened, "The dog rushes back to the cabin, finds the hunter, and offers the coin. However, the hunter is furious. 'How could you!' he shouts, 'I asked you to watch the wagon, and you go and steal from it instead!'" Yuri looked back at Ruby with a sadistic smile and half-open eyes. "So, the hunter killed the dog."
"That's not funny." Ruby glared at Yuri.
"Well, to you." Yuri responded with shrug, "I find it hilarious."
"Why?" Ruby asked, "Why to tell me that?"
"Who would you rather be in the story?" Yuri asked, his voice more serious, but Ruby did not respond right away, "There are no heroes, yet there are no villains either. Only a dog, a hunter, and a merchant. That story is simply life in its cruelest form." He said before chucking, "And that's why I find it funny. After all, tragedy does bring the purest form of comedy." Yuri then noticed Ruby pointing at him, "Hm?"
"I promise, I will beat you in this tournament," Ruby declared, "And I will put an end to whatever you're planning!"
"…HehehahaHAHAHA!" Yuri burst into laughter, "Now that's funny." The sadistic Obelisk Blue said with Ruby having the same focused expression, "You truly see your life a fairytale, don't you?" he asked with Ruby having no responses, "Very well, we can settle it then." He said before reaching into his deck box, "But first, I have a gift." He said before taking out a single card, "Something to help your deck and make sure you will still be in the tournament by the time we duel." He said while showing the back of the card to Ruby.
"I don't need your card; you can keep it," Ruby responded.
"You sure?" Yuri offered, slightly wiggling the card, "This one is also a Guardian, like your Eatos." He said with a smirk, "And for some reason, I think this one's weapon suits you the most."
"…" Ruby remained silent.
"…Suit yourself," Yuri shrugged before putting the card away, "Just make sure not to lose to someone else," The sadistic Obelisk Blue said as he walked passed Ruby, "Because I want to be the one to make you lose all hope in the world." He said while walking away. Ruby remained in place for a few seconds before making her way back to her dorm. However, Yuri looked back before scoffing, "Tsk, that girl makes me sick." He said before continuing the path towards the woods, but pulled out a different card from his deck, then smirked at it.
Yuri approached a cave, but saw Mercury and Emerald near the entrance, "So did they have anything good on them?" The dark pro duelist asked.
"No, mostly so basic staples or stuff I would need the full archetype to run." Emerald said as she looked through cards before placing them back in cases, each with Bastion and Chazz's names marked on them, "Still, it will make them easier pickings for my role in her plan." She said with a smile on her face. However, she then gasped as the Fallen Shadow Rider walked out of the cave, "Cinder, I so glad that-" Emerald was saying, but Cinder walked past her and straight to Yuri.
"How did the test run go?" Cinder asked the sadistic Obelisk Blue.
"I would say, better than expected." Yuri said before showing the card, which depicted a young man with reddish spiked hair and beaded neckless. He was screaming in agony, stuck in a state of torment, "For the ace student of East Academy, he was barely a warmup match for the main event."
"You know your role in this mission." Cinder said before turning around, walking towards Mercury, "And you, did you get the deck?"
"Right here," Mercury said as he pulled out a black case, "The Cyber Art's secret weapon, the one my old man spent so long trying to get." He said with Cinder taking it in her monstrous hand, causing a dark aura to radiate from it.
"Good, you did well to find it." Cinder said with Mercury bowing.
"I was one that stole it without anyone noticing!" Emerald said, but Cinder walked past her again, causing the pickpocket pro duelist to lower her head in remorse.
"Come, she is waiting." Cinder said with the three following her in the cave. They walked through the shadows before reaching a being that radiated her own darkness, "Salem, all the preparations are in order." Cinder said as she bowed, as did Mercury and Emerald. However, Yuri remained scowling at the Embodiment of Darkness but was then forced to bow by Mercury's hand over his head.
You have done well to redeem yourself.
"Thank you," Cinder responded, "I promise, this time will be different."
Yes, though we have seven shadow riders again, our group is far stronger than before.
With those words, Emerald was confused. Including Cinder, there were only four people to serve the Embodiment of Darkness. However, she glances past Salem with her eyes widening.
Three looming figures were seen with malicious aura radiating from their bodies. One was a man in a black trench coat and hat, as well as a silver mask over his upper face and eyes. He sparked with blue electricity through his veins. Next to him was a woman in a red dress like Cinder's. However, this woman's long hair was green, but as she smiled, her sharp fangs showed a slights tint of blood. Between the two was a younger man in a black suit and white mask. His hair was a spiked red, but it seemed as if black horns were protruding from his skull. As he glared with a vengeful smile, a red glint was seen through the mask over one of his eyes.
And this time, I shall witness my King take the throne.
Salem spoke before a smile formed on her face.
Even if I must duel him myself.
AN: There you go, a LOT of new faces here. Starting off is Jesse Anderson, everyone's favorite crystal boy who has a hick voice in the dub and a girl's voice in the sub. I do like that Weiss has a Neptune-style crush on him already, since he is not here, and Jesse has blueish hair. After that, you have Jim and Axel shown off, but do not speak yet, more just showing off their exitance for the future matchups. As for the fourth member, Gecko, he got carded before making a cameo. We then have the Malachite twins showing up with a big hint as to what they play. Then, all the way from ARC-V, it's the duo of spunky twins, the Tyler Sisters. It took a while to figure out how to write their way of … articulation. But I like the enthusing of certain phrased they say to make sure you know what they mean. After that, I decided to have Emerald be a part of the evil group as well. Before I didn't know a deck for her, but I think I got one that works and a story for her role here. In a cool moment with Nora and Pyrrha, I tease what happened to Jaune in this continuity, in case you ever wondered, but he is not here. We also got Aster back, now with his new deck ready to go. Once the battle royal tournament rules were set in stone, Ruby runs into Yuri again, who teases a card he has that you all can guess by this point. (Also, the 'funny story' he said is a book you can read in an RPG horror game called The Witch's House. To me, that seems like a game Yuri would play). Now the bad guys assemble with a few new Shadow Rider to see. Both Titan and Camula are now here in the role, and even Adam is back for revenge. Like I said, there was a lot of character this chapter to introduce and reintroduce. Now, it may still be some time before I come back for the first chunk of the tournament, but I did want to come back for this chapter before too long. That is all for now, thanks for reading, and hope to see you in the next chapter.
Now, time to answer some questions. The biggest one is my thoughts on the new RWBY anime. Personally, I am super happy with it coming out soon. This is basically what I wanted; an anime reboot of the series not done by RT (They will most likely dub it, but I will only listen to the Sub for this one). It looks great, great people behind its making, and I am interest on what they change more than what they keep the same. Those new outfits are also nice, which I just call; Snowboarder Ruby, Weisdeath, Beast Blake, and Neo Yang. Even if it is just one season, I will be content with this form of RWBY over the web series. For me and duels to look forward to, the eventually clash of Ruby and Yuri is going to be cool, but that is not for a long time from now. Regarding the rules, its basically battle royal with last man standing. I ditched the medal gimmick and went with something more known to modern times of gaming. I would have liked a bracket system, but it would not have worked in this format for the cast. Dinomorphia came out, and it was cool, I like the ace monster and would have loved to have given them to a duelist here if I had the time or the character. New Umi support is cool, but Mako is not in this series sadly. For the next duelist pack, please be fire so Yang can get some better cards to play. Puppets are neat, but I never liked the way they looked or played personally. Regarding the Labrynth archetype, I wish it used more of Gate Guardian so I could use the Paradox Brothers again, but it does not. Regarding one-shot students, not likely at this point. Therions are the current newcomers, and they are okay. And finally, of the three uniforms, I like the Slifer Red one the best. Red is one of my favorite colors, so that puts it over for me. Those were all the questions I had, feel free to ask more, and I will answer them in the next chapter.
